LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — The Clarion Golden Eagles (7-10, 1-1 PSAC) split their doubleheader against Lock Haven (4-14, 1-1 PSAC), suffering a narrow 4–3 loss in game one, before bouncing back with a commanding 12-3 victory in game two at Watkins Field on Saturday.
Game 1: Lock Haven 4, Clarion 3
In the first game, Clarion managed six hits, including a pair of doubles, but couldn't quite catch up after the Bald Eagles' big fourth inning. Things stayed quiet through the first two innings, with
Jacob Patterson doubling in the second but getting left on base. In the third, Clarion grabbed a 2–1 lead.
Jon Fijalkowski reached on an error and came home on
Tyson Gill's double. Gill scored next thanks to a right fielder's error. Lock Haven responded with an unearned run off a sacrifice fly by Tom Rohan, leaving Clarion ahead 2–1 after three.
The fourth inning saw Lock Haven take control with a three-run homer by Cayden Robertson, bringing in Zachary McEllroy and Cayde McCloskey, putting them ahead 4–2. Clarion tightened the gap in the sixth when
Randy Carlo scored on a bases-loaded walk by
Cesar Lopez. Still, Lock Haven held their 4–3 lead through the final innings.
Zach Kelly pitched all six innings for the Golden Eagles, allowing four runs—three earned—while striking out five and giving up just two hits and a walk. Despite the homer, Kelly kept the Bald Eagles guessing with a mix of seven flyouts and five groundouts, showcasing his ability to handle pressure with runners on base.
Tyson Gill chipped in with a hit and an RBI, snagging a double in his four at-bats and adding three assists from shortstop.
Elvin Robles was solid with two hits in three at-bats.
Jacob Patterson added a double, finishing with one hit in three at-bats.
Game 2: Clarion 12, Lock Haven 3
In game two, the Golden Eagles soared to a commanding 12-3 victory over Lock Haven. Capitalizing on Lock Haven's four errors, Clarion's offense erupted in a five-run fourth inning.
The action kicked off with a bang as Clarion notched a three-run first inning.
Tyson Gill and Zach Colangelo both earned walks, setting the stage for
Ethan Giangiulio's clutch single to center, driving in two.
Jacob Patterson followed suit with an RBI single, bringing Giangiulio home. Clarion stormed ahead 3-0 after the opening inning.
Elvin Robles kept the momentum going in the third, doubling to right center and later scoring on a single by
Tyler Boraski, pushing the lead to 4-0. The fourth inning was a showcase of opportunity seized, as Clarion took advantage of Lock Haven's miscues. Gill and Colangelo advanced on wild pitches, with Gill crossing the plate. A flurry of walks and errors allowed Carlo, Robles, and Patterson to score, despite Lock Haven's three-run response in the bottom half. By then, Clarion was sitting comfortably at 9-3.
The Eagles weren't finished yet. In the sixth, Robles walked and scored on Boraski's sacrifice fly. More errors from Lock Haven paved the way for unearned runs by Patterson and
Cesar Lopez, stretching the lead to 12-3.
Clarion's defense and pitching sealed the deal.
Ryan Gallagher took the reins in relief, delivering 3.2 scoreless innings. He gave up five hits and three walks but struck out seven, expertly navigating pressure by stranding three inherited runners.
Tyson Gill was a force at the plate, with two hits, two runs, and four times on base via two walks. Zach Colangelo also shone, tallying two hits, two runs, and an RBI.
Ethan Giangiulio drove in two runs and picked up two hits.
